Chicago Cubs

Player News - Cubs

Jake Arrieta's agent Scott Boras said he plans to discuss a contract extension with the Cubs in January.

The two sides will meet at that point to sort out Arrieta's salary for 2017, his final year of arbitration. It's possible (though probably not likely) that they go ahead and work out something long term instead. Arrieta, 30, posted a 3.10 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 190/76 K/BB ratio in 197 1/3 regular-season innings this summer for the Cubs before helping the franchise to its first World Series title since 1908. He's due a big raise from the $10.7 million he made in 2016.

Brewers selected LHP Caleb Smith from the Yankees with the No. 7 pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Cubs for cash.

Smith, a 2013 14th-round pick out of Sam Houston State, put up quality numbers as a starter in the Yankees system, but without featuring the kind of stuff that made the team take him seriously as a prospect. He spent much of last year in the pen and had a 3.96 ERA and a 70/20 K/BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings for Double-A Trenton. He's more of a middle-relief type than a lefty specialist, and the Cubs will probably be able to do better in their pen.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees have agreed to terms with Aroldis Chapman on a five-year, $86 million contract.

Mark Melancon set a new record for a reliever contract earlier this week with his $62 million deal, but Chapman's contract obviously blows it out of the water. Rosenthal says the deal includes an opt-out after the first three years, a full no-trade clause for the first three years and a limited no-trade for the final two years. ESPN's Marly Rivera said the limited no-trade portion stipulates that Chapman can't be dealt to a team in California. Chapman will return to being the Yankees' closer, with Dellin Betances moving back to a setup role.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said that the team remains in contact with Travis Wood.

If the Cubs are to re-sign Wood, they might have a bit of elbowing to do. At least if you are to believe the pitcher's agent. Darek Braunecker said on Wednesday that a whopping 10 teams are in on Wood. This past season, the 29-year-old southpaw pitched to a sharp 2.95 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 61 innings with the World Series champs. Depending on which team signs him, Wood could work as either a reliever or a starter. The Marlins are said to be looking at him in a starting capacity.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the team will not sign both Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.

No huge surprise there, as both players could potentially draw contracts north of $90 million. ESPN's Jayson Stark has reported that the Marlins and Yankees have both floated five-year contracts to the pair of relievers, but Chapman would be the Bombers' preference here. The Dodgers also remain an interested party, and the Nationals are expected to make a big push.

That might sound like typical agent-speak, but Wood figures to do very well for himself in this market after posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 61 innings of relief for the Cubs in 2016. He has experience as a starter and some teams might be viewing him as a rotation option for 2017, but a bullpen role is probably best.

Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that both the Yankees and Marlins have offered Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen five-year contracts.

Stark relays that the Dodgers are also keenly interested in both of these free agent closers, though the length of their potential offers aren't known at this juncture. The Yankees' interest in Chapman is well-documented, but Stark shines a light on the Marlins, writing that sources with knowledge of the team's thinking "describe them as being significantly more interested than previously believed." The Nationals are also in the mix for Chapman, with USA Today's Bob Nightengale passing along word earlier on Wednesday that the team is "firmly in the hunt."

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Nationals are "firmly in the hunt" for Aroldis Chapman.

Washington has money to spend after acquiring center fielder Adam Eaton and his team-friendly contract from the White Sox, and it sounds like the focal point now is a dominant closer. Kenley Jansen could be another option for Washington if the pursuit of Chapman falls through. Chapman obviously has very close ties to Nationals manager Dusty Baker, but cash is king in these types of situations. Jansen and Chapman are both said to be seeking $100 million contracts.

Medicals weren’t a sure thing after Davis’ forearm issues from last season, but the Cubs were apparently satisfied with what they saw. If healthy, Davis is a tremendous pickup for the back-end of this bullpen. The 31-year-old wasn’t as dominant by his usual insanely lofty standards in 2016, but he owns an incredible 1.18 ERA in 185 appearances over the last three seasons. He’s going into his final year of team control.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Yankees, Marlins, and Dodgers are awaiting word from Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported early Wednesday that "there's an increasing sense" that Jansen and Chapman could be close to making decisions on where to sign. Heyman notes that Chapman is the Yankees' top choice while the Dodgers would prefer a reunion with Jansen. The Marlins are the wild card here and are open to signing either. Both closers should land deals north of $80 million.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal confirms that if a deal is completed between the Cubs and Royals, it will be a one-for-one swap with Wade Davis and Jorge Soler.

There had been some chatter about other prospects potentially going to the Royals, but it will be a straight-up swap. Davis carries some health questions and the Cubs are apparently going over his medicals before the deal is finalized, but given the recent price of top-tier relievers, this has a chance to be a great move if he can stay healthy in his walk year. Soler still possesses considerable upside, but he's an expendable piece in Chicago.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports hears that "there's an increasing sense" among teams in the elite-closer market that Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman could be close to making decisions on where to sign.

It's crunch time in negotiations. We've already heard that Chapman reportedly has a $92 million offer on the table from someone. Jansen's deal should fall in a similar range. The Marlins, Yankees, Dodgers, and Nationals are all linked here in some form or fashion.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Cubs and Royals have agreed to a Wade Davis-Jorge Soler swap, pending medicals.

It's not a done deal, but assuming the Cubs don't have any issues with Davis' medical records, it could be announced Wednesday morning. On the surface, it's not an overwhelming return for Davis, but he only has one year remaining on his contract and he's coming off a season where he was bothered by some forearm issues. Still, there's no questioning his ability if healthy. The 31-year-old owns a 1.18 ERA over the last three seasons and will immediately take over the closer role in Chicago. As for Soler, his star has faded a bit over the past two seasons, but there's huge power potential here and the Royals will happily take a chance on him.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, one team has offered $92 million to Aroldis Chapman.

And there's a decent chance his price tag climbs even higher given all the interest. Among those in pursuit: the Yankees, Nationals, and Marlins. Chapman, 28, registered a 1.55 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 90/18 K/BB ratio in 58 innings this summer between the Yankees and Cubs before helping to bring the north side of Chicago its first World Series championship since 1908.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are close to acquiring Wade Davis from the Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler.

There was a late push from the Nationals, but they apparently weren't able to beat the Cubs' offer of Soler. Davis is coming off a year filled with forearm troubles, but he still managed a 1.87 ERA in 43 1/3 innings and the 31-year-old right-hander holds a brilliant 1.18 ERA over the last three seasons. He is probably going to open the 2017 campaign as the Cubs' closer. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports says the trade is "seriously down the road" but probably won't be fully completed until sometime Wednesday. Chicago is probably poring over Davis' medical records.